What is a PGD?
Within the NHS, a Patient Group Direction (PGD) is a formally authorised framework that allows specified registered healthcare professionals to supply or administer named medicines to defined groups of patients, without the need for an individual prescription.
A PGD sets out clear criteria for inclusion, exclusion, cautions, clinical checks, and documentation requirements. Only healthcare professionals listed within the PGD and trained to use it may supply or administer the medicine, and the decision must be made on an individual assessment that the patient meets all specified conditions.
PGDs are developed and approved by multidisciplinary teams that typically include medical, pharmacy, and governance representatives. NICE advises that most care should be delivered on an individual, prescriber-led basis, and that PGDs should only be used where they provide demonstrable clinical and operational benefit.
PGDs therefore provide a regulated mechanism to deliver timely access to treatment in clearly defined circumstances while maintaining safety, accountability, and compliance with UK medicines law.
To view all current PGDs, visit our online clinic.
